Actors Judy Ann Santos and Dennis Trillo are among the winners in this year’s edition of Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal, Friday night in Solaire Grand Ballroom in Pasay, City. 

Santos and Trillo each took home the Best Actor and Best Actress awards for their remarkable performances in Espantaho and Green Bones, respectively. Both actors were visibly emotional during their acceptance speeches.

“Maraming salamat po sa karangalan na ito. Isang napakalaking karangalan ang tumanggap isang napaka-espesyal na parangal sa harap ninyong lahat. Lagi ko pong sinasabi na ngayong araw ng kapaskuhan ayoko na pong mag pa stress sa pakikipag-kompitensya sa pakikipagpagalingan sa kahit kanino man. Dahil, sa pakiramdam namin, panalo na kami noong nakapasok pa lang sa 10 entries dito sa MMFF ang ‘Green Bones,' kaya palakpakan po natin ang mga sarili natin winners tayong lahat,” Trillo said. 

("Thank you so much for this honor. It is truly a great privilege to receive this very special award in front of all of you. I've always said that during this Christmas season, I don’t want to stress over competition or trying to outdo anyone. Because, in our hearts, we already felt like winners the moment Green Bones made it into the Top 10 entries at this year's MMFF. So, let’s give ourselves a round of applause — we are all winners.")

Santos, who won Best Actress for her portrayal in Espantaho, dedicated her award to her co-stars and team. "Ang sarap sa pakiramdam, Espantaho team, para sa ating lahat ‘to. Hindi ko magagawa ang trabahong ito without my Nanay LT, Tita Chanda, and my anak Kean. This wouldn’t be possible without your great support. Acting is reacting. Naniniwala ako na hindi ko magagawa ‘yung trabaho ko kundi dahil sa inyo," Santos expressed.

("This is such an amazing feeling, Espantaho team, this is for all of us. I couldn’t have done this work without my Nanay LT, Tita Chanda, and my son Kean. This wouldn’t have been possible without your great support. Acting is reacting. I truly believe I wouldn’t have been able to do my job if not for all of you.")

Aside from the acting awards, Green Bones, directed by Zig Dulay and starring Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid, also won the coveted title of 50th MMFF Best Picture. Dulay dedicated the award to all those who believe in the power of Philippine cinema. "Inaalay po namin itong award na ito para sa lahat ng mga naniniwala sa kapangyarihan ng pelikulang Pilipino. Maraming maraming salamat po," Dulay said.

("We dedicate this award to everyone who believes in the power of Filipino cinema. Thank you so much.")

Here are the winners of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival:

Best Student Short Film:

3rd University of the Philippines Mindanao

2nd City of Malabon University

1st University of Makati 

Special Jury Prize for Best Student Short Film:

Mindanao State University

Best Float: Uninvited  and Topakk 

Gender Sensitivity Awards: And The Bread Winner Is...

Best Visual Effects: Riot Inc. for The Kingdom 

Best Child Performer: Sienna Stevens for Green Bones 

Best Musical Score: Vincent De Jesus for Isang Himala 

Best Sound: Ditoy Aguila for Strang Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital 

Best Original Themesong: Ang Himala Ay Nasa Puso, Juan Karlos for Isang Himala 

Best Editing: Vanessa Ubas De Leon for My Future You 

Best Cinematography: Neil Daza for Green Bones 

Best Production Design: Nestor Abrogena for The Kingdom 

Best Supporting Actress: Kakki Teodoro for Isang Himala 

Best Supporting Actor: Ruru Madrid for Green Bones 

Breakthrough Performance: Seth Fedelin for My Future You 

Special Jury Citation: Vice Ganda for And The Bread Winner Is... 

Best Screenplay: Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza for Green Bones 

Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Awards: Topakk

Gat Puno Antonio J. Villegas Awards: The Kingdom 

Best Actor: Dennis Trillo 

Best Actress: Judy Ann Santos 

Special Jury Prize: Topakk, Isang Himala 

Best Director: Crisanto Aquino for My Future You, and Michael Tuviera for The Kingdom 

BEST PICTURE: Green Bones

4th Best Picture: Isang Himala

3rd Best Picture: My Future You

2nd Best Picture: The Kingdom